(NASL 2016 Fall) Rayo OKC 3v0 New York Cosmos

Saturday 16th July 2016
Miller Stadium, Oklahoma   Attendance -  4,621

The unbeaten Fall season run of the New York Cosmos came crashing to a sudden halt in Yukon after a 3v0 reverse to Rayo OKC. It was the joint worst heaviest defeat of the Cosmos since the reboot and it was deserved following a terrible performance.

The goals all came in the 2nd half, but Cosmos were lucky to have reached that point still level. In general play the game looked even, but the home side created 3 great opportunities only to squander them all. There were early warning signs as Rayo looked to test the unfamiliar pairing of Ockford and Mendes with long balls and Cosmos needed a Freeman intervention and a linesman's flag to stop the home side.

The home side should have opened the scoring after 18mins when Sandoval was played in, but under pressure from Mendes he somehow shot wide. Cosmos did create some promising attacks, but too often they were let down by a poor final ball or a speculative Arango effort, none of which unduly troubled the Rayo keeper.

Rayo created 2 great chances late in the half to open the scoring. Findley was put clean through for Rayo, but his chip was saved by Maurer. But Cosmos again received a huge let off soon  after following a great move opened up the Cosmos down the left wing. The ball was squared to Findley, who inexplicably missed the ball to let New York off again.

Rayo got the goal they deserved early in the 2nd half after a foul from Ockford in the area from a free kick. Michel fired in the penalty past Maurer. Cosmos did create a chance soon after following an exchange of passes outside the Rayo area, but Arango misfired again, shooting well over.

Looking for inspiration, Cosmos brought on Diosa on the hour mark, but Cosmos fell further behind when Michel fired a free-kick on the edge of the area past Maurer to double the lead. Lucky was brought on to good effect late on, but it was Rayo OKC who scored a third on stoppage time.

With Cosmos short at the back the ball was played to Samaras who fired an effort past Maurer to complete a miserable game for New York.